Topaz Photo AI - My Recommended Use

In this tutorial, I explain my recommended workflow and use of Photo AI.
For more info about the Lightroom Virtual Summit 2022 and to signup for free:
bit.ly/3R7oANX
Here is my introductory video on Photo AI:
• NEW Topaz App - PHOTO AI
For more information about Topaz Photo AI:
bit.ly/3cDqa5J
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www.anthonymorganti.com/
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** I am an affiliate for all companies mentioned here, EXCEPT Affinity Photo.
Please read my Code of Ethics Statement:
onlinephotographytraining.com...
Anthony Morganti’s MUST HAVE applications:
At least one Non-Destructive RAW Editor
Lightroom - bit.ly/2zwQ0nW
Luminar - bit.ly/2JUJxKw (Save with the Promo Code AM16)
On1 Photo RAW - on1.sjv.io/EaGR2K (Save 20% with Promo Code: AM20)
PhotoLab 5: tidd.ly/2HhiN9X
At least one FULL Editing App:
Photoshop - bit.ly/2zwQ0nW
Affinity Photo - affinity.serif.com/en-us/photo/
My MUST-HAVE Plugins:
Topaz Gigapixel AI - bit.ly/3cDqa5J
Topaz Sharpen AI - bit.ly/3cDqa5J
Topaz Denoise AI - bit.ly/3cDqa5J
Instead of Topaz Denoise AI:
On1 NoNoise AI - on1.sjv.io/EaGR2K (Save 20% with Promo Code: AM20 - May not work on sale product)
Nik Silver Efex Pro 3 - tidd.ly/3dc4gYm
The Best Sky Images I've Seen Available -- Ocudrone - bit.ly/3vtDpjR
*Save 10% with Discount Code: Morganti10
** Note that the promo codes listed above may not work on sale products.
*** I am an affiliate for all companies listed EXCEPT Affinity Photo. Please read my Code of Ethics Statement:
onlinephotographytraining.com...
Please follow me on Instagram: / anthonymorganti
Thank you!

[@AnthonyMorganti]

In this tutorial, I explain my recommended workflow and use of Photo AI. For more info about the Lightroom Virtual Summit 2022 and to signup for free: bit.ly/3R7oANX Here is my introductory video on Photo AI: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3SsfaSZaqyjsKM For more information about Topaz Photo AI: bit.ly/3cDqa5J Please help support my channel - consider purchasing my Lightroom Presets: www.anthonymorganti.com/ YOU can help me help others learn photography. You can quickly offer your support here where I receive 100% of your kind gift: ko-fi.com/anthonymorganti You can change the default amount to the amount you'd like to donate. ** I am an affiliate for all companies mentioned here, EXCEPT Affinity Photo. Please read my Code of Ethics Statement: onlinephotographytraining.com/code-of-ethics/ Anthony Morganti’s MUST HAVE applications: At least one Non-Destructive RAW Editor Lightroom - bit.ly/2zwQ0nW Luminar - bit.ly/2JUJxKw (Save with the Promo Code AM16) On1 Photo RAW - on1.sjv.io/EaGR2K (Save 20% with Promo Code: AM20) PhotoLab 5: tidd.ly/2HhiN9X At least one FULL Editing App: Photoshop - bit.ly/2zwQ0nW Affinity Photo - affinity.serif.com/en-us/photo/ My MUST-HAVE Plugins: Topaz Gigapixel AI - bit.ly/3cDqa5J Topaz Sharpen AI - bit.ly/3cDqa5J Topaz Denoise AI - bit.ly/3cDqa5J Instead of Topaz Denoise AI: On1 NoNoise AI - on1.sjv.io/EaGR2K (Save 20% with Promo Code: AM20 - May not work on sale product) Nik Silver Efex Pro 3 - tidd.ly/3dc4gYm The Best Sky Images I've Seen Available -- Ocudrone - bit.ly/3vtDpjR *Save 10% with Discount Code: Morganti10 ** Note that the promo codes listed above may not work on sale products. *** I am an affiliate for all companies listed EXCEPT Affinity Photo. Please read my Code of Ethics Statement: onlinephotographytraining.com/code-of-ethics/ Please follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/anthonymorganti/ Thank you!

[@quinprocopio1009]

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[@lenilynbercasio289]

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[@amandaowens2742]

Super appreciate your videos! When you talk about resizing, I'm new to this, but when/why would you want to do that? Couldn't one just blow it up when they order prints? Also, the imported raw size is set at 5472w X 3648h, so not sure if that's where it should be?

[@amandaowens2742]

Also, instead of editing in Topaz Photo AI from LR, I imported the raw (before LR, as it suggested somewhere else) & now, when I click "Save" at around 11:01, mine doesn't say give the option to "Save to Lightroom", only to Save.

[@peterjackhandy]

I don't use l/r or photoshop. I process my fuji files in Capture One, then use whichever of the Topaz utilities. My greatest problem with photo ai is the masking/subject recognition. It's so hit & miss as to be almost unusable in the present iteration. It also seems to label any sand/grit/leaves etc as severe noise, but that's workable around. I really hope they let us keep the choice of doing everything manually in the future. They could do a lot worse than having a good look at how Capture One handles masking, particularly the magic brush.

[@marcstrunz6617]

Hi Anthony, thanks for the great tutorial again. One question: did you adjusted the basic settings e.g. highlights, shadows etc before you sent the photo to Photo AI or you only cropped it? Thanks and regards Marc

[@Graygeezer]

I’ve had color and saturation changes when sending raw files to Photo AI. I haven’t seen that just lately, so I’m hoping it’s fixed now. I’ve also had it recognize severe noise, but apply a minor reduction, which required manual adjustment every time. It often missed the intended subject, but their website says they will include brush masking, so that fix is coming. The stated intention by Topaz Labs is an autopilot app, so the need for manual intervention with every photo should be reduced eventually, which will make this a real timesaver with a simplified straightforward interface. There will always be photos that do require intervention, but I’m betting they’ll make Autopilot work a lot better.

[@HartponderJr]

Love Topaz since you introduced it to me a few years ago…Loading Topaz in my new 16’ MacBook M1Pro with 32Ram looking forward to it all! Thank you…

[@pieternoordzij]

Another thing that I am missing, especially when sharpening, is the masking feature so that you can apply the changes to the subject only. I hope that they add that as well in the future.

[@Graygeezer]

Please note that the current version of Photo AI does have this. Look for the “Subject Only” button under Sharpen.

[@pieternoordzij]

@@Graygeezer Thanks for pointing out. I see that now. So in case it detects the subject and does it correctly you can sharpen the subject only. That is much of an improvement. Hopefully they will add the brush for masking too.

[@markfarrer1162]

@@pieternoordzij they did add some masking tools to fine tune the subject mask.

[@pieternoordzij]

@@markfarrer1162 It is getting better and better. Thanks. 👍

[@occipitalexposure5059]

Masking is an absolute must. The artifacts in the foreground are unacceptable, otherwise.

[@powerlink2000]

Yet another excellent video!!!

[@jean-pierremagdo6856]

Thanks for this clear video. Do you think that Topaz Photo AI give better result than using Denoise AI then Sharpen AI the Gigapixel AI if i need to resize my image? Besides of this, i think that the separate application give more control. So, in term of use what would you recommend ?

[@charlesdavis6371]

I much more respect a company bringing in multiple "plugins" into a single program, than a company that tries to pull out tools from their progam and sell them as individual "plugins". That said, one thing I like in the individual "DeNoise" and "Sharpen" modules is that is that they offer multiple algorithms in side by side views that to choose from.

[@pythonflying]

And respect even more when they give you free access after one recently buys all the individuals.

[@charlesdavis6371]

@@pythonflying - I had a few problems getting mine to work that way - so just purchased Photo AI outright - but that did extend the update period for my current plugins by another year when I did that - so not really complaing or anything. I think it was my way of doing things (I purchased DeNoise alone first - then the other two later). Either way - I doubt I'll give up Adobe or ON1 soon, but I do like where Topaz is headed.

[@jamesgrantham1743]

@@charlesdavis6371 when the update period is over can you still use the software to its full potential other than updating it to the latest version?

[@charlesdavis6371]

@@jamesgrantham1743 - I believe so (although I'm not affiliated with the company in any way).

[@MedusaJellyFish300]

I bought Topaz Video AI and I was very impressed with the results, I was very happy to first do the trial to verify the results of the image and I was so astound by the amazing results because I would hate to pay good money for a terrible software and now this new photo app has peak my interest but I noticed they dont have free trial for it. Well anyways thank you for taking the time to give us your honest opinion and recommendations. You are the best. 🌺

[@Jims.Photos]

I had an issue with Photo AI when I upscale batch process a folder of sports images. It would only denoise and/or sharpen the batch. I nentioned that to Topaz. Rhere is my response from Topaz: Thanks for reaching out and great question. We are actually adding a feature which will allow you to control this behavior with a new update on Thursday in the early evening. The autopilot settings will let you control when autopilot turns on certain modules and allow you to batch upscale by your preferred scale, or to a specific pixel width/height. I encourage you to download that update when it comes out Thursday. I downloaded it today and now it works! V1.0.2. Tgere is a new settings icon next to Autopilot where you can pick what you want Autopilot to do.

[@helloianzakharov]

I am working with PS for 20 years and know it pretty deep. Although a couple of years ago I added to my tools DxO PL software and it made a dramatic improvement and reduced time to deal with a noise and sharpness in my wildlife photos. This year I decided to try out Topaz to see what other developers offer. I bought the bundle and was playing with different photos. Right out the box it was so bad. With different settings I could get somewhat decent, but miles behind from DxO PL with PS. It’s definitely not my cup of tea for now. Probably they will get better and I will change my opinion. And yeah, thank you for video, it helping to know about new things over the industry.

[@sydneyatkins8436]

I notice you are 4 versions behind. You can now send a Raw file direct from Lightroom, though the Auto Pilot does not get it right some time, I am still getting some impressive results.

[@uhoh7541]

Awesome video as always!!! I've purchased this bundle, but haven't played with any of the topaz software yet. I came across another photographer that said he'd do bulk processing with denoise or sharpen and use AI when he had issues that weren't fixable. Do you have any opinion on his suggested workflow?

[@martineudall]

Some very good points

[@alincostache2750]

Helpful video, thank you

[@wayneschumacher8451]

Hi Anthony, thanks for your content and opinion. I would want to use the plugin from Photoshop in order to apply some masking. There seems to be a lot of artifacts in the out of focus foreground and background areas. Hopefully, masking will be added.

[@philipcolumbus3054]

I thought he mentioned that those artifacts were generated by using the resizing function after noise reduction and sharpening.

[@moorephil437]

Hi Anthony, Thank you for your excellent content. You may not be aware, but Photo AI v0.9.0 includes a new Lightroom plug-in which allows users to send raw files to Photo AI.

[@another.places]

if you have the 3 previous apps, do you need photo ai? what is the advantage of it over getting sharpen ai, giga ai and denoise ai? beside auto feature which is not important. is the performance better?

[@wcbert]

I have Fuji XT-3. My steps are open Lightroom. If I have a noisy image I first use DXO PureRaw 2. Then open the processed image in Photo AI. Most, not all image Photo AI gets me an image that 80%-90% looks good, and I am happy with it. I might tweak the image in Lightroom for color or Dodge/Burn using Masks to bring out or tone down areas of the photo. The bottom line, this is a time saver and I find I spend less than 5 minutes on an image.

[@rlfisher]

Helpful tutorial. I have been using Photo AI for a few weeks now, and the results are generally pretty good. I have typically applied Denoise and/or Sharpen (or now, Photo AI) at the end of my Lightroom or Photoshop workflow. Where do you use these tools in your own workflow?

[@ockertlombard699]

I would also like to know, before Lightroom adjustments, or after?

[@alanm.6096]

Anthony, given the Topaz Option, what do you consider to be your go-to sharpening method between this, LR and PS? A lot of opinions out there. Thank you.

[@RogerJones-mountfield]

I have just carried out a comparison with Photo Al verses DxO PureRaw and on this occasion DxO wins, there are occasions when DxO over sharpens so still a useful piece of software on the computer.

[@ChuckRiley]

I like the new app, but I hope Topaz will continue to support the 3 individual apps. I prefer the many options that they provide.

[@carolschultz1058]

One this is in production & you have it loaded, would you delete the individual products to save space on your computer?

[@photoguyphotography]

I look forward to, and enjoy your videos very much! learn something every time I watch one. Something that I miss though is the ability to save your videos. We used to be able to so that a person could always refer back to them in the future. Did KZbin take that feature away when they changed their format? I see that some of the photographers do still have that feature. Why some and not others. Can you personally add it back on? Thanks much for your great videos. Keep up the great work!

[@PhilZwick]

I have all three but not Photo AI as I find that On1 Raw 2024 with Brilliance AI does a great job of noise reduction and adjustments in one click, while permitting modifications when needed. All without leaving the app and on raw images. Have you compared these seemingly similar software programs?

[@MarshallCant]

Anthony: When Topaz releases this to the world in September does it make the other Topaz software a bit obsolete (DeNoise AI, Sharpen AI, Gigapixel AI). It seems a bit of a confusing development track to me. If the order in which to use Topaz modules was confusing before this seems to muddy the waters even more. Thoughts?

[@freetibet1000]

My guess is that we should view these beta versions as a transitional period before something truly useful emerges. I have no doubt that Topaz got an interesting vision for where they want to go with this new approach. Personally, I sure hope they will still support and further develop their stand-alone apps parallel to this one though.

[@jackieboshoff2013]

Great video as always. Will Photo AI work with C-Raw & CR3 files produced by my Canon R7 or not?

[@dougsmit1]

I had discovered the problem of it not sensing the need, type and strength of sharpening which I assume will be fixed before they try to sell the 1.0 program. There is a fact of software: People do not want to pay for new software that is weaker than the old version. Sharpen AI allows me to select/modify selections in several ways so I will need Sharpen AI rather than Photo AI unless that is changed. In all honesty, right now, I like the Denoise part of Photo AI as much as the old Denoise AI for my uses. I hope Topaz does not rush this to market and get a bad name for what has promises of being a great product. Another matter: I still have 0.6.0 but see there were some things downgraded in 0.7.0. I suspect there is a good reason for taking away batch processing using the same settings but I also suspect that many users are more interested in ease of use than in a small amount of better results. This, too, will get fixed. Then the question we each must answer is whether we need the bundle of three and Photo AI as an additional purchase or if they make one program that does everything so the bundle will be remembered as the days when Topaz was hard to use but they fixed it.

[@KP_Macro]

Unfortunately all of the various sharpening tools produce noticeable artifacts with complicated scenes, like in the foreground of this example. I shoot mostly landscapes and I have yet to find a sharpening tool other than very subtle Lightroom sharpening that doesn't make rocky terrain and forest floor look bad. I know those improvements will come in time as tools become more sophisticated, but for now I really hope Topaz includes masking in the final product.

[@renegrosheintz-laval9146]

That's exactly my quibble, too! Did the author of this video really not see the artefacts in the blurry foreground? They are very obvious. On the ground next to the chipmunk there are artefacts too, but you have to zoom in to see those. Quintessence: Photo AI without masking is no good.

[@iqueque]

How does your copy of Photo AI give you the option to open back in Lightroom? I have to follow your workflow from the last video of manually locating the file and syncing the folder.

[@paullesage3146]

If you send it (as a plug-in) to Photo AI from Lightroom, it will then send it back to Lightroom.

[@iancockcroft9427]

Hi Anthony. this is great. thanks. So Topaz AI is destructive? do you first edit with LR, export to TIFF or JPEG and use the AI to work on the TIFF? that wasnt 100% clear. thanks a mil looks like the AI is worth the investment EDIT I am using the demo for now. I want to but it but cant submit the promo. waiting for a reply from them. is it still valid? after i close and go back to LR, there is a new icon on the original that says 1 of 2 and the copy, 2 of 2. when i have the full version, will this(2 of 2) be the copy i can export from LR?

[@RingWraith66]

Looks over sharpened, and the foreground looks funky.

[@kate4bama]

I’m going to ask what most likely will be a stupid question bc I am tired of looking for the answer so I wouldn’t look profoundly stupid in the first place, but just cannot find the answer. Is it even possible to install an external editor other than photoshop in Adobe Lightroom, not Lightroom Classic? I cannot for the life of me find a way to add another external editor other than photoshop to Lightroom in any of the preference windows or edit options. I would appreciate if you could let me know if I am missing a button somewhere or if it is just not a possibility in Lightroom. I love using my suite of Topaz tools and just downloaded Photo AI, but I am truly getting so frustrated with the time it takes importing and exporting that ever since watching your video on the beautiful gorilla, I have searched high and low trying to find a way to install topaz to Lightroom, not Lightroom Classic since I do not have that. Thank you in advance for any knowledge you can share.

[@ColdCoffeePhotography]

The make or break will be what Topaz decides to charge for it - and what it offers current users of one of more of its current plugins as a thankyou

[@judithwinkler1553]

I would love to see Mask incorporated within Photo. Is that capability included in Photo? Mask's ability to map specific parts of an image (like subjects it doesn't recognize) and then blur or darken the background is much easier than doing that with Lightroom or Photoshop. Seems like Topaz is no longer promoting Mask.

[@gosman949]

There are so many of these sharpening programs that I am waiting for the guinea pigs to settle on which one becomes the best!

[@tonyb2760]

The foreground sure looks weird, kinda like how Fuji files use to look in previous Lightrrom versions.

[@markslifkin7437]

Latest Topaz AI 1.1.5 now recommends you open it via Lightroom 'plug in' not photo 'edit in'

[@rghurst]

The blurred foreground below the rodent looks pretty bad when the image renders. "First do no harm" ;-)

[@Vector_Ze]

Oh, woe is me. Photo AI requires Windows 10 or higher to run. Oddly, the prerequisite purchased programs (Image Quality Bundle) run just fine on Win7.

[@paullesage3146]

It runs on my Windows 10. ??? I don't think you will find a lot of current software, especially new products, that will still run on Wi 7

[@Vector_Ze]

@@paullesage3146 Which is why I'm still running Win7. Changing to Win10+ would cost me thousands of dollars and the acceptance of an otherwise unnecessary learning curve. I guess I'll be happy with the Image Quality Bundle, although the integration was an attraction. Another consideration is the rise in subscription/cloud based applications, which I avoid like a bad Vista installation. I bought my cameras, and don't have to pay annually/monthly to keep using them. It's a win-win for the software corps, and unacceptable to me. I'm using some applications that were released a couple decades ago, and they still do everything I need for them to do. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. And if it does work, don't break it (like making it subscription based).

[@ME2K23]

🤔It added funky artifacts in the blurred part of the image, particularly visible on the ground before the chipmunk 😐

[@SorinGociu]

starts at 3:05

[@jjaylad]

CAUTION ON USING PHOTO AI I basically want to edit 'general' archived photos using this tool but am finding some serious problems: 1) PHOTO AI is not yet working 'dependably' Using the Auto mode, Noise Reduction is patchy, leaving little areas of serious noise totally untouched or alternately even sharpened, while other areas that originally had a little 'texture' are totally smoked and left devoid of ANY detail. It seems to recognizes skin texture and upholstery texture and other textures as NOISE and just attacks them, in a patchy fashion. 2) CRITICAL METADATA IS LOST Since I don't want multiple copies of these images and just want to improve them I tried using "Edit Original" instead of creating an additional version of the photo. When I do that, SOME CRITICAL METADATA IS LOST. ISO IS LOST. When working on a batch of photos I normally use my custom filter and select those of a specific ISO. So I might have 20 images at ISO 6400 filtered, and I want to batch process those. After doing it using "Edit Original", they no longer have an ISO in the metadata so they don't even show up back in Lightroom. I have to RE-FILTER to "Unknown ISO Speed". Worse yet, there is no way to specify the ISO Speed in Lightroom, so to get it back I have to use an external Metadata editor, then re-synchronize Lightroom to get the ISO back on those photos. Comment on Enhance I find ENHANCE applies Noise Reduction and Sharpening to the images regardless of the chosen size. I believe the intention with ENHANCE is to let it evaluate the image and apply those two adjustments without the individual sliders being turned on or the individual settings being adjusted. In fact, I find if ENHANCE is checked, adjustments to the Noise Reduction and Sharpening do very little to the image other than messing it up. Anyway ...I'm going to wait until application is stabilized and the Metadata loss is corrected before using it again. To me Gigapixel Ai is the most useful app of the bunch since it sharpens, reduces noise and resizes (if wanted), very well.

[@deanmengel3439]

Lots of artefacts after sharpening compared to Sharpen AI

[@CoastGuy09]

Upsizing is not supported in the current release of Photoshop CC. I realize it is an early version but this is a major disappointment. I should have waited.

[@erik1836]

I cannot say so far I find myself terribly impressed. I would not use it, at this point in its development, for any critical, truly important image work. It is too hit and miss; it also has repeatedly frozen when doing even moderately sized files - say 128 MB. Thereby necessitating a forced, hard shutdown and reboot. Whereas, with the individual programs I can even work with files of 500 MB and not have that problem. I also like the various options found on each of the individual programs and get decidedly superior results from using them in concert. I hope they are able, as time goes by, to fulfill the goal the software is intended to fulfill, but for now? I am quite glad they let me have it for free; otherwise, I would feel like I had wasted my money.

[@philipculbertson55]

My biggest disappointment with Photo AI is its inability to find the subject. You didn't seem to have a problem but after 10 tries with Photo AI, it found the subject twice. I then tried taking the same image into Sharpen AI and in all cases, it found the subject and makes it, at least partially. It would seem to me the same AI would be used in both but Sharpen AI is clearly much better at finding subjects. The other thing I have noticed is atifacting. Even in your video, the bottom part of the photo clearly had artifacting issues and increasing the strength of the sharpening made it worse. As others have said, we really need ability to mask to help with that. I'm a big fan of Topaz and I hope it gets better as more people provide feedback but for me at least, I'd rather take the time to use the individual Apps and get much better results than the quick approach with less than adequate results.

[@joanneabramson2645]

I have had the same experience. I did have a photo with a clear subject that Photo AI found that did a better job than using Denoise and Sharpen separately. But that was a notable exception.

[@chiangmaicharlies]

OMG - What a disappointing tutorial. The first I've watched from this source and I'm sure there's many better. The first third is just like an advertisement, and the remainder covers some basics in a very convoluted manner, with much repetition and unnecessary dialogue. Not recommended.